City Governance Committee - 02/03/2026

At a MEETING of the CITY GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 2nd March, 2026.

 

Present:-

 

Lord Provost Bill CAMPBELL

Depute Lord Provost Nadia EL-NAKLA

 

BAILIES

 

Will DAWSON	Kevin KEENAN	Fraser MACPHERSON
Willie SAWERS	Helen WRIGHT	Derek SCOTT

 

COUNCILLORS

 

Heather ANDERSON	Lee MILLS	Dorothy McHUGH
Jimmy BLACK	Steven ROME	George McIRVINE
Kevin CORDELL	Lynne SHORT	Wendy SCULLIN
Mark FLYNN	Roisin SMITH	Daniel COLEMAN
Stewart HUNTER	Siobhan TOLLAND	Michael CRICHTON
Ken LYNN	Georgia CRUICKSHANK	Craig DUNCAN
	Jax FINNEGAN

 

Councillor Mark FLYNN, Convener, in the Chair.

 

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 16th February, 2026 was held as read.

 

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

 

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

 

There were no declarations of interest.

 

II FUTURE OF BALMOSSIE FIRE STATION

 

This item was placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Duncan who requested that the Committee agreed that the Chief Executive write on behalf of the City Council to Stuart Stevens, Chief Officer of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, expressing concern at the continuing delays in the service making a decision on the future of Balmossie Fire Station.

 

Thereafter, the Committee resolved as follows:-

 

- That the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) announced on 25th June, 2025 the commencement of a public consultation as part of its Service Delivery Review, which included consideration of the potential downgrading or closure of Balmossie Fire Station.

 

- That the public consultation ran from 25th June, 2025 until 18th September, 2025 and SFRS initially indicated recommendations would be presented to its Board in December, 2025.

 

- That, thereafter, this timeline was extended to the new year.

 

- That in February, 2026 SFRS further extended the decision-making timetable, indicating final decisions would be taken after the Scottish Parliamentary election, with outcomes expected by the end of June, 2026.

 

Committee expresses:-

 

- Concern at the repeated delays in reaching a decision regarding the future of Balmossie Fire Station and the prolonged uncertainty for local residents, community organisations and serving fire and rescue personnel.

 

- The importance of clarity, transparency and timely communication in matters affecting public safety infrastructure.

 

Committee therefore instructs the Chief Executive to the write to Stuart Stevens, Chief Officer of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service seeking:-

 

- An updated and definitive timetable for decision-making and an assurance there will be no further delays.

 

- Clarification of the reasons for the successive delays to date.

 

- Confirmation of how local stakeholder feedback from the consultation is being taken into account.

 

- Reiterating the City Councils opposition to any downgrade or closure of the Balmossie Fire Station, particularly in light of the increase in serious domestic fire cases in Dundee recently.

 

III BANK OF SCOTLAND, BROUGHTY FERRY BRANCH

 

This item was placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Duncan who asked the Committee to instruct the Chief Executive on behalf of the City Council to write to Charlie Nunn, Chief Executive of Lloyds Banking Group plc, making clear the Councils objections to the proposed closure of the Bank of Scotland Broughty Ferry branch.

 

Committee notes that Lloyds Banking Group announced on 11th February, 2026, without consultation, its intention to close the Bank of Scotland Broughty Ferry branch on 15th June, 2026, as one of 95 branches across its Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland brands it indicated it would close in 2026-2027.

 

Thereafter, the Committee resolved as follows:-

 

- Expresses its disappointment and strong condemnation of the decision to close the branch.

 

- Notes that this closure represents a significant and damaging loss to the Broughty Ferry community, particularly for elderly residents, people with disabilities, those who are digitally excluded, and small local businesses who rely on accessible, face-to-face banking services.

 

- Recognises the cumulative impact of previous bank branch closures in Broughty Ferry and across Dundee, which have already substantially reduced access to in-person banking provision.

 

- Highlights the importance of maintaining a physical banking presence in supporting local high streets, sustaining economic vitality, and promoting financial inclusion.

 

- Considers that continued withdrawal of banking services undermines community resilience and disproportionately affects vulnerable customers.

 

Committee therefore instructs the Chief Executive to write to Charlie Nunn, Chief Executive of Lloyds Banking Group plc highlighting:-

 

- The City Councils strong opposition to this proposed closure emphasising the damaging impacts this would bring referred to above.

 

- Calling for the decision to be urgently reconsidered.

 

- Requesting a detailed explanation of the assessment undertaken regarding community impact and vulnerability.

 

- Seeking an immediate review by the bank to explore alternatives to closure, including the possibility of shared banking facilities.

 

- Research by organisations like Joseph Rowantree Foundation emphasise that easy access to cash is essential for people living in poverty because it provides flexibility, dignity, and immediate control over meeting basic needs. Loss of local cash infrastructure (such as bank branches and free-to-use ATMs) disproportionately affects low-income households, who are more likely to rely on cash for budgeting and day-to-day transactions and less likely to have access to affordable digital alternatives.

 

The Chief Executive is also instructed to copy this correspondence to the Financial Conduct Authority requesting its intervention and support in protecting local banking access.

 

IV NEIGHBOURHOOD SERVICES SERVICE PLAN 2023/2027 - MID YEAR PROGRESS REPORT 2025/2026

 

There was submitted Report No 33-2026 by the Executive Director of Corporate Service, providing the Committee with a six-monthly update showing progress made on the 2023/2027 Neighbourhood Services Service Plan, for the period up to 30th September, 2025.

 

The Committee agreed to note the Service Plan update appended to the report.

 

V CAPITAL EXPENDITURE MONITORING 2025/2026

 

There was submitted Report No 40-2026 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services, appraising of the latest position regarding the Councils Capital Plan for 2026/2031.

 

The Committee agreed to note the latest position regarding the Councils Capital Plan for 2026/2031.

 

VI REVENUE MONITORING 2025/2026

 

There was submitted Report No 41-2026 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services, providing the Committee with an analysis of the 2025/2026 projected revenue outturn as at 31st December, 2025 and the impact on the Councils overall revenue budget position.

 

(i) to note that as at 31st December, 2025, the General Fund was projecting an overall overspend for the year of 1.886m against the adjusted 2025/2026 Revenue Budget, the impact this had on the Councils General Fund balances and the actions being taken to address the forecast budget shortfall;

 

(ii) note the budget adjustments totalling 9.584m and detailed in the second column of Appendix A and (summarised in Appendix B) to the report as adjustments to the previously approved Revenue Budget;

 

(iii) to note that as at 31st December, 2025, the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) was projecting an overspend of 2.751m against the adjusted HRA 2025/2026 Revenue Budget and the impact this had on the projected Renewal and Repair Fund balance earmarked to HRA;

 

(iv) to note the information included in paragraph 3.7 to the report in relation to financial recovery and authorised the Executive Director of Corporate Services to continue to take actions to address forecast overspends with the objective of achieving a balanced budget; and

 

(v) to note that as outlined in Section 3.3, the report reflects anticipated costs associated with the Voluntary Severance and Early Retirement (VSER) scheme.

 

VII TENDER APPROVAL FOR CLOUD TELEPHONY AND DIGITAL CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE PLATFORM

 

There was submitted Report No 46-2026 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services, providing details of the outcome of a procurement process and seeking approval of a contract award for cloud telephony and digital customer experience platform.

 

The Committee agreed:-

 

(i) to note the information in the report; and

 

(ii) to approve the award of contract to 8x8 UK Ltd following a competitive procedure, which was carried out as outlined in Section 6 of the report, in compliance with the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

 

The Convener agreed that the undernoted item of business be considered as a matter or urgency in view of the timescales involved.

 

VIII CONSIDERATION OF LEAVE ARRANGEMENTS TO MARK SCOTLANDS MENS FOOTBALL TEAM WORLD CUPAPPEARANCE

 

There was submitted Report No 67-2026 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services, setting out various options for recognising the 15th June, 2026 national bank holiday and outlining the operational, financial, and workforce considerations associated with each option.

 

The Committee agreed:-

 

(i) to consider the options set out in Section 4.3 to the report and determine the Councils approach to the national bank holiday on 15th June, 2026, alongside the financial, operational and statutory considerations; and

 

(ii) if applicable, remit officers to seek permission from Scottish Government for an additional school day closure as required under Section 133(4) of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980.

 

Bailie Macpherson, seconded by Councillor Crichton, moved that the Committee adopt Option 3 - Observe the bank holiday on 15th June, 2026 and grant an additional annual leave day to be taken that day or on a suitable alternative date for those required to work on that date.

 

Councillor Flynn, seconded by Councillor Crichton, moved that the Committee adopt Option 4, for staff to be given 15th June, 2026 as a designated national bank holiday.

 

On a division, there voted for the motion - Bailie Macpherson and Councillors Coleman, Crichton and Duncan (4) and for the amendment - the Convener, Lord Provost Campbell, Bailies Dawson and Sawers and Councillors Anderson, Black, Cordell, Hunter, Lynn, Mills, Rome, Short, Smith and Tolland (14); Bailies Keenan, Wright and Scott and Councillors Cruickshank, Finnegan, McHugh, McIrvine and Scullin declining to vote - whereupon the amendment was carried.

 

On a further amendment, Bailie Scott, seconded by Bailie Keenan, moved that the Committee adopt Option 1, due to costs involved do nothing.

 

On a division, there voted for the motion - the Convener, Lord Provost Campbell, Bailies Dawson and Sawers and Councillors Anderson, Black, Cordell, Hunter, Lynn, Mills, Rome, Short, Smith and Tolland (14); and for the amendment - Bailies Keenan, Wright and Scott and Councillors Cruickshank, Finnegan, McHugh, McIrvine and Scullin (8), Bailie Macpherson and Councillors Coleman, Crichton and Duncan declining to vote - whereupon the motion was carried.

 

 

 

 

Mark FLYNN Convener.